08/11/2025
Hey First Aiders
I have this conversation on every course
Motorbike rider in a crash
Should I remove the helmet
Conscious breathing rider
Probably if they ask insist you take it off
Advise of possible spinal injury potential
Unconscious not breathing
You need to remove the helmet
Ok the last one of confusion
Unconscious motorbike rider breathing normally / adequately
Hmm how about using physiology
Firstly unconscious and breathing NOW!!!
Probably not for long
If you are UNCONSCIOUS
How much control do you have over your tongue falling back and occluding the airway
NONE!!! It is now the MAJOR cause of hypoxia
Two
When you are unconscious your sphincter at the top of your stomach has lost its muscle tone
Just before they went on the ride they stopped at the pub had a pizza and a pot of beer
Now they are on their back supine the sphincter is relaxed
Where is the stomach contents going Quietly into their airway and lungs
You leave them on their back thinking you are clever
They MIGHT have a spinal injury they are now dead from hypoxia and aspiration
Good job you are really clever
Nice straight spine in the morgue
Whats the first thing the Paramedics do when they get there
Remove the helmet
Like you should have done 20 minutes ago
Just do manual in line spinal immobilisation
Carefully remove the helmet minimising lateral and rotational movement
This is an easy skill to master
Then perhaps with bystanders gently place on their side using M.I.L.S
With postural drainage head facing slightly lower minimising aspiration
Then a thorough heads to toe to look for other injuries
Injured side down for rib injuries and ? fractured skull
To minimise if there is bleeding a rise in intra cranial pressure
If you ride a motorbike install an eject helmet removal device
Sorry guys
I guess there are lots of what ifs
34.7K likes, 108 comments. “Bell Race Facts: Did you know AMA requires all Supercross athletes to wear an Eject System in their helmets while racing? The Eject Removal System was designed for safer removal of a helmet in the event of a crash, acting as a small inflatable airbag pushing the helmet ...
